Velocipede structure



Nov. 7, 1939. s 'A. sNEtL 2,178,708

VELOCIPEDE STRUCTURE Original Filed March 22, 1937 INVENTOR SAMUELA.SNELL BY- I ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNHTE STATES PATENT QFFIQVELOCIPE'DE STRUCTURE corporation of Ohio Original application March 22,1937, Serial No.

Divided and this application March 28, 1938, Serial No. 198,508

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally ,tojuvenile vehicles such asvelocipedes and constitutes a division of my application filed March 22,1937, bearing Serial No. 132,415. 7

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a velocipedewherein the backbone is flexible so that it will materially improve theriding qualities and will effectively cushion the rider from shocks andjars which are ordinarily received from velocipedes of conventionaldesign.

Another object is to provide means for concealing the connectionsbetween the backbone and the front fork and the connections between thebackbone and seat post.

Another object is to improve the backbone construction of velocipedes sothat they will be strong and durable, pleasing in appearance, andeconomical to manufacture.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of thisinvention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds,especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing,wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a velocipede embodying myinvention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the backbone, rear platformand rear axle;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 ofFigure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 ofFigure 6;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the rear platform, cap, andbackbone with parts broken away and in section;

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-! ofFigure 1.

Referring now to the drawing, A is the backbone, B is the front fork, Cis the handlebar, and D is the rear platform or step of a Velocipedeembodying my invention. As shown, the backbone A comprises essentially astrip 1 of spring steel having a closed return-bent portion 2 at itsforward end and an open return-bent portion 3 at its rear end.Preferably the strip l and the closed return-bent portion 2 havevertically aligned openings 4 and 5, respectively, that receive theupstanding shank 6 of the front fork and are rigidly fastened togetherin rear of said fork by a bushing I that receives the supporting post 8for the seat 9. Any suitable means such as a screw Ill carried by thebushing I may be used to hold the seat post 8 in proper position.Bushings I! and l2 are anchored in the openings i and 5, respectively,and form bearings for the shank B of the fork. Preferably this shank iiis tubular in form and receives the depending post E3 of the steeringbar. A collar M is sleeved upon the post 43 and shank '6 and is fastenedthereto by a suitable screw I5.

In the present instance the shank 6 is formed separately from the forkproper l6 and has a flanged portion ll welded thereto. i8 is a fenderfor the front wheel 59 mounted on the fork proper l6 and provided uponopposite sides of the fork with suitable braces 29. For propelling thewheel 59, there is an axle 2i journaled in the furcations of the fork Band provided with suitable cranks 22 and pedals 23. The open return-bentportion 3 of the backbone extends through a depending flange 24 of therear platform D under the latter and preferably has a substantiallyU-shaped portion 25 receiving the axle 26 for the rear wheels 2'1. Asshown in Figure 5, a portion 28 of the platform D is crimped down uponthe axle 26 in the U-shaped portion 25 and cooperates with the latter toretain the axle. A washer 29 rests upon the platform D over the crimpedportion 28, and bolts 30 extend through the washer 29, platform D andreturn-bent portion 3 of the backbone upon opposite sides of the axle 26and are engaged beneath the return-bent portion 3 with nuts 3| to firmlyhold the parts together. Any suitable means such as the cap 32 vmay beused to cover the washer 29 and bolts 30. Preferably this cap 32 isformed of sheet metal and has lugs or tongues 33 extending through slotsor holes in the platform D and bent laterally with respect thereto sothat the cap will be retained in place.

To conceal the connections between the backbone A and fork B and toprovide a pleasing appearance, I have provided a pair of ornamental sideplates 34 of sheet metal that are mounted upon opposite sides of thebackbone at the forward end thereof. As shown, these plates 34substantially conform to the loop 35 formed by the backbone strip l andreturn-bent portion 2 thereof and have marginal flanges 35 that embracesaid parts. Any suitable means such as bolts 31 and nuts 38 may be usedto hold the plates 34 in place. To strengthen the structure, a bracket39 is located in the loop 35 between the plates and is also held inplace by the bolts 31 and nuts 38.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a velocipede, a backbone having a closed elongated loop at itsforward end, side plates at opposite side edges of said loop andcooperating therewith to form a closed chamber, a reinforcing bracketwithin said closed chamber, and means including a connection betweensaid plates for holding said bracket.

2. In a velocipede, a backbone comprising a strip of spring steel havinga portion at one end bent back upon itself and providing an elongatedclosed loop, side plates mounted upon opposite sides of said loop andforming therewith a closed chamber, a reinforcing member within saidloop between said side plates, and a connection between said side platesextending transversely of said loop and holding said reinforcing member.

3. In a velocipede, a backbone having an elonand connections betweensaid side plates at spaced 10 points longitudinally of said chamberincluding means supporting said'reinforcing member.

SAMUEL A. SNELL.

